Barely two weeks of ascending the throne as Soun of Ogbomoso, His Imperial Majesty, Ọba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye Orúmọgẹgẹ III has been warned to guide his utterances and should not beat a war drum if he is not ready for one.
The warning was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday by Prince Abdulaziz Adeleke on behalf of Princes and Princesses of Ijeru kingdom, Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, Oyo State.
The warning becomes necessary when the new monarch maliciously claimed to be the paramount ruler of Ogbomosoland while addressing Governor Makinde appointees from Ogbomoso zone who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace on Sunday.
It could be recalled that Oba Ghandi in his speech claimed: “What has two heads is a monster and what also has no head is a monster as well. As far as Ogbomọsọland is concerned, there is only one head and that’s the Soun stool”
Prince Adeleke in the press statement responded to Soun’s claim that for the avoidance of doubt, Ogbomoso zone is comprised of five local government areas, and each of them is autonomous with its Traditional Council and Chairman of that Council.
The Prince delved into the memory lane to clear the air on the Soun’s submission that all Souns, but the incumbent were installed as Baale, adding that it is the present occupier of the stool that was installed as an oba! It is better not to roll the dice that one is not ready to redeem.
However, he cautioned Oba Ghandi that he should not beat a war drum if he is not ready for one.
The statement stated: “Our attention has been drawn to the recent claims by Soun of Ogbomoso and its contents. Even though politics has continued to wrestle with tradition, we must give discerning and rational eye to matters as they affect our immediate environment.
“Everyone is entitled to his utterance (s). Yes! Talk is free, but it is sometimes costly. Anyone can choose to be a paid agent; it is also a matter of choice.
“It is a known fact in Yorubaland that the weird sisters do not need plenty of members before they embark on voodooism. The crux of the matter is that the boot lickers and the hangers know the truth but sell their heritage for a morsel of poison. Sad! Very sad!
“The pseudo-elevation of some people gives them the false belief that they have arrived. Alas! Yoruba Tradition removes their caps ‘ab initio’. For the avoidance of doubt, the ancient Obas knew and recognized themselves.
“In Ogbomoso zone, Aresa, Olugbon, Olukoyi, Onpetu and Alajaawa belonged to the original land owners, they derived their traditional powers from Ile-Ife, the Source. If by the contraption of political office holders somebody is given recognition, it should not intoxicate him to arrogate non-existent authority to himself.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ogbomoso zone is comprised of five local government areas, and each of them is autonomous with its Traditional Council and Chairman of that Council.
“The good thing about history is the incorruptible nature of its verdict. Any submission that cannot sit with history is a mere concoction.
“We must add that all Souns, but the incumbent were installed as Baale. It is the present occupier of the stool that was installed as an oba! It is better not to roll the dice that one is not ready to redeem.
“Oba Ghandi should not beat a war drum if he’s not ready for one.”